Everything you need to know about the English Country Garden BOM

The blocks have been planned, the instructions are in the process of being made, and everything is due to get started on 7th April! The English Country Garden Block of the Month is designed for those that love scrappy quilts and appliqué, but also to dispel any fears that those who are a bit nervous of appliqué may have, working our way over the next year to a vibrant quilt to be proud of made from 12″ x 12″ blocks.

Feel free to use this button on your blog if you would like to show your participation 🙂 It’s a sneaky peek of block 1…

The blocks will be available in PDF format on Craftsy to download instantly for free on the first Monday of the month (except October as I will be flying back from Vancouver) with the supplementary material that will advise on other techniques and pieced backgrounds along the way. Each block pattern will be ready for full size print plus it will include layering instructions and an overview on two different types of machine appliqué included so you can choose the technique that most appeals to you. I’ll also list some other alternatives including the super-cheating-ultra-quick method I favour, you can even needle turn the pattern by hand if that’s your thing. There’s no right or wrong way, you could even combine techniques!

This guide and steps such as bias tape making will be included with every block in case you only want to make one, rather than the whole quilt. It’s up to you how far you follow, and there are no prizes for finishing first, as long as you are happily embracing appliqué!

Make sure you download the patterns before the next block is released as otherwise they will be charged at $1.50 each after this time, with the full collection available at the end of the BOM with all of the other bits and pieces for $15 if you’re reading this in the distant future…

*UPDATED* Prices have changed to $2 as new EU Law has meant a change of venue for the downloads, which means fees need to be compensated for. Files are still available on Craftsy for the initial month, but after this time you may wish to buy them from:EtsyPAYHIPand Patterns to Print

The final design is a bit of a mystery at this stage as I will be making the quilt along with you, but I can tell you the finished size will be 44″ x 58″ unless you choose to add additional borders and there is some piecing throughout to keep it fun if you find the appliqué heavy going!

THE SCHEDULE (make sure you follow this blog if you want to know as soon as they are ready for download! Links will also be updated here)
-2014-
7th April: Choosing your fabrics: contrast and colour
8th April: Daisy patternIncludes strip piecing the background, how to make bias tape stems and two methods of machine appliqué.
5th May: Bluebell patternIncludes a checkerboard pieced background, how to make bias tape stems and two methods of machine appliqué.2nd June: Iris patternIncludes a log cabin background, how to make bias tape stems and two methods of machine appliqué.7th July:Hyacinth patternIncludes pieced flying geese background, how to make bias tape stems and two methods of machine appliqué.4th August: Fuchsia patternIncludes improv background, how to make bias tape stems and two methods of machine appliqué.1st September: Dahlia patternIncludes inset circle background, how to make bias tape stems and two methods of machine appliqué.**delay as I am away getting married!**13th October: Rose patternIncludes strip piecing background again, how to make bias tape stems and two methods of machine appliqué.3rd November: Poppy patternIncludes checkerboard background again, how to make bias tape stems and two methods of machine appliqué.1st December: Pansy patternIncludes log cabin background again, how to make bias tape stems and two methods of machine appliqué.-2015-
5th January: Primrose patternIncludes flying geese background again and two methods of machine appliqué.2nd February: Marigold patternIncludes improv background again, how to make bias tape stems and two methods of machine appliqué.2nd March: Clematis pattern – last blockIncludes inset circle background again, and two methods of machine appliqué.6th April: Finishing the topSashing and cornerstones.
7th April: Suggestions for quilting and finishing your quiltIncludes basting, quilting, squaring up, binding or facings, adding a sleeve for wall hanging, quilt labels.

So get your freezer paper, Sewline glue pens (or fusible webbing) and sharp scissors ready and I’ll see you in about a week for the start. If you have any friends who might enjoy sewing along, please send them this way!

I’d love to have a go, but I have promised myself, I’m not starting anything until I’ve finished everything else I have on the go! Good luck with it – it seems like there’s a lot of hard work gone into it.

Good Luck with the BOM, i’m trying to finish up some WIP’s and not start lots of big projects, but may well try a block or two along the way once I get a little time, as applique is definitely something I want to have a go at. :o)